Embedded

Systems

Uday Alhamdany
History
A transistor is a semiconductor device used to amplify or switch electronic signals and
electrical power.
John Bardeen, William Shockley and Walter Brattain at Mohamed Atalla (left) and Dawon Kahng (right)
Bell Labs in 1948. They invented the point-contact invented the MOSFET (MOS transistor) at Bell Labs
transistor in 1947 and bipolar junction transistor in 1948. in 1959.

Between 1960 and 2018, an estimated total of 13 sextillion (1021 ) MOS transistors have been manufactured,
accounting for at least 99.9% of all transistors.
What is RISC and CISC
Reduced Instruction Set RISC advantages
Computer 1. Smaller die size
 Fewer Addressing modes. Simple instructions - simple processor
 Fewer Instructions available. require less transistors.
 For example, ARM, NEC VR series. 2. Shorter development time
Complex Instruction Set Simple processor take less effort to
Computer design.
 More Instructions available 3. Higher performance?
 Many addressing modes.
 For example, Intel x86. RISC Disadvantages
Complex compiler
poor code density
Computer architecture
 Von-Neumann architecture
In a Von-Neumann architecture, the same memory and bus are used to
store both data and instructions that run the program.
 Harvard Architecture
The Harvard architecture stores machine instructions and data in separate
memory units that are connected by different busses.
Parallel Processing | SISD,SIMD,MIMD,MISD
SISD (Single Instruction, SIMD (Single Instruction, MISD (Multiple Instruction, MIMD(Multiple Instruction,
Single Data stream) Multiple Data streams) Single Data stream) Multiple Data streams)
Flynn’s Taxonomy
Data

Single Instruction Multiple Instruction

Multiple Data Multiple Data
Multiple
(SIMD) (MIMD)

Single Instruction Multiple Instruction

Single Single Data Single Data

(SISD) (MISD)

Instructions
Single Multiple

Majority of Embedded Systems

Introduction to Embedded Systems
• What is an embedded system?
• Application-specific computer system
Embedded
• Interacting with its environment
System
• Build into a larger system
• Often with real-time computing constraints

• What is the motivation for building an embedded system?

Macroscopic view on a device level
• Better performance
• More functions and features
Embedded Computer
• Lower cost e.g. through automation Input from Software Output to
Environment Environment
• More dependable Hardware

• Lower power

User Interface Link to

Other Systems
Microscopic view on a functionality level
Embedded system definition
• definitions all have their limits.

• An embedded system is simultaneously:

• “a digital system that provides service as part of a larger system” – G. De Micheli
• “any device that includes a programmable computer but is not itself a general-
purpose computer” – M. Wolf
• “a less visible computer” - E. Lee
• “a single-functioned, tightly constrained, reactive computing system” – F. Vahid
• “a computer system with a dedicated function within a larger mechanical or
electrical system, often with real-time computing constraints” – Wikipedia
Self-Contained vs. Embedded System
• Self-contained systems (A.K.A. computer)
• PC’s
• Laptops
• Servers
• Embedded computing systems
• Computing systems embedded within larger units.
• Provide dedicated service to that unit
• Hard to define. Nearly any computing system other than a desktop computer
 Categories of Embedded systems
Functional Performance
1. Stand-alone embedded systems 1. Small scale embedded system
It is a self-contained device which does not single 8- or 16-bit microcontroller.
require any host system like a computer.
2. Medium scale embedded system
2. Real time embedded system
a) Hard real time E.S a single or few 16- or 32-bit
microcontrollers or DSPs or Reduced
the violation of time constraints will Instruction Set Computers (RISCs).
cause critical failure and loss of life or
property damage 3. Large scale embedded system or
Sophisticated Embedded Systems.
b) Soft Real time E.S
the violation of time constraints will
Enormous hardware and software
cause only the degraded quality, but the complexities and may need scalable
system can continue to operate. processors or configurable processors and
programmable logic arrays
3. Networked embedded system
4. Mobile embedded system
 Embedded System Components

•Sensors : input data (e.g., accelerometer

for airbag control)
•Actuators : mechanical components
(e.g., step motors)
•Processors: Data conversion, storage,
processing, decision-making.
Characteristics of Embedded Systems

Sophisticated functionality.
Real-time operation.
Throughput.
Low power.
Reliability.
Low manufacturing cost.
From a Processor to an Embedded System
• Microprocessor (central processing unit, CPU)
• Typically defined as a single processor core that supports at least instruction fetching, decoding, and
executing
• Normally can be used for general-purpose computing, but needs to be supported with memory and
Input/Outputs (IOs)

Instruction fetcher Memory Interface To memory

blocks
Instruction decoder

Register banks

ALU
Microprocessor
A Computer Made by General Purpose
Microprocessor
Microcontroller (microcontroller unit, MCU)
• Typically has a single processor core
• Has memory blocks, digital IOs, analog IOs, and other basic peripherals
• Typically used for basic control purpose, such as embedded applications

Microprocessor (CPU) Program Memory Data Memory

System Bus

Digital IO Analog IO Timer Other Peripheral

Microcontroller
Simplified View of the Internal Parts of Microcontrollers
(SOC)
Attributes of Embedded Systems
• Interfacing with larger systems and environments
• Analog signals for reading sensors
• Typically use a voltage to represent a physical value
• Power electronics for driving motors, solenoids
• Digital interfaces for communicating with other digital devices
• Simple – switches
• Complex – displays

• Concurrent and reactive behaviours

• Must respond to sequences and combinations of events
• Real-time systems have deadlines on responses
• Typically must perform multiple separate activities concurrently
Attributes of Embedded Systems
• Fault handling
• Many systems must operate independently for long periods of time
• Requires them to handle faults without crashing
• Often, fault-handling code is larger and more complex than the normal-case code

• Diagnostics
• Help service personnel determine problems quickly
Some Application Domains
CONSUMER PRODUCTS Appliances, Games, A/V, Intelligent home devices …

TRANSPORTATION Autos, Trains, Ships, Aircrafts …

PLANT CONTROL

Manufacturing, Chemical, Power Generation

NETWORKS

Telecommunication, Defense
Field Applications of Embedded Systems
• Closed-loop control system
• Monitor and (pre)process a system state, adjust an output to maintain a desired set point (temperature, speed,
direction, etc.)
• Remove noise, select desired signal features

• Sequencing
• Step through different stages based on environment and system

• Communications and networking

• Exchange information reliably and quickly

• Part of a larger system

• Taking over very specialized functions as part of a larger system, e.g. fault handling, handling networking
Example Embedded System: Bike Computer
Input:
Inputs: Wheel rotation
Functions:
- Wheel rotation indicator Mode key
- Speed measurement
- Mode key
- Distance measurement

Output:
Constraints: - Liquid crystal display
- Size
- Cost Use low-performance
- Power and energy microcontroller: Output:
- 9-bit, 10 MIPS Display speed and
- Weight distance
A “Short List” of Embedded Systems
• Anti-lock brakes • Cordless phones • Teleconferencing Televisions
• Auto-focus cameras • Cruise control • Temperature controllers
• Automatic teller machines • Digital cameras • Theft tracking systems
• MPEG decoders • Disk drives • TV set-top boxes
• Network cards • Electronic card readers • VCR’s, DVD players
• Network switches/routers • Electronic instruments • Video game consoles
• Automatic toll systems • Printers • And the Medical testing systems
• Automatic transmission • Satellite phones • Modems
• Avionic systems • Scanners • Video phones
• Battery chargers • Smart ovens/dishwashers • Washers and dryers
• Camcorders • Speech recognizers
• Cell phones • Stereo systems
• On-board navigation • systems
• Pagers • Electronic toys/games
• Photocopiers • Factory control
• Plant control • Fax machines
• Point-of-sale systems • Fingerprint identifiers
• Portable video games • Home security systems
• Cell-phone base stations • Life-support systems
Example: Gasoline Automobile Engine Control Unit
Functions:
- Fuel injection Many inputs and outputs:
- Air intake setting - Discrete sensors and
- Spark timing actuators
- Exhaust gas circulation - Network interface to
- Electronic throttle control rest of car
- Knock control

Constraints:
Use high-performance
- Reliability in harsh microcontroller:
environment - E.g. 32-bit, 3 MB flash
- Cost memory, 50-300 MHz
- Size
ARM Powered Products
Introduction to the Internet of Things (IoT)
• IoT generally refers to a world in which a large range of objects are
addressable via a network

Objects can include:

Why IoT? • Smart buildings and home
appliances
• Items can have more • Fridges, TVs, cookers
functionality and become
more intelligent • Civil engineering structures
• Bridges, railways
IoT
• Items can be managed more
easily • Wearable devices
• Smart watches, glasses
• More information becomes
available • Medical devices
• Smart inhaler, embedded
pills
Internet of Things: Why Now?

• Embedded chips are becoming: Price

• Cheaper
• Smaller
• Lower power

• Energy harvesting

• Communication is becoming faster and

more efficient Number of embedde
Challenges to the Internet of Things
• Large number of chips required
• Chips have become even cheaper and smaller • Power consumption
• Low power chips, longer battery life
• Big data demand
• Large volume of data will be generated, data • Security
centre storage needs to be increased • Large amount of private data needs to be
protected
• Computation requirement
• High performance e.g. for cloud computing • Standards
• Official standards are required, such as
network protocols
Benefits of Microcontroller-based Embedded Systems

• Greater performance and efficiency • More features

• Software makes it possible to provide • May not be possible or practical with other
sophisticated control approaches

• Lower costs for mixed signal-processing • Better dependability

systems • Adaptive system which can compensate for
• Less expensive components can be used failures
• Manufacturing costs reduced • Better diagnostics to improve repair time
• Operating costs reduced
• Maintenance costs reduced
Impact of Constraints
• Microcontrollers used (rather than microprocessors)
• Include peripherals to interface with other devices, respond efficiently
• On-chip RAM, ROM reduce circuit board complexity and cost

• Programming language
• Programmed in the C language rather than Java (resulting in smaller and faster code – less expensive
MCU)
• Some performance-critical code may be in assembly language

• Operating system
• Typically no OS, but instead a simple scheduler
• If OS is used, it is likely to be a lean RTOS
 Options for Building Embedded Systems
Implementation Design Unit Upgrades Size Weight Power System
Cost Cost & Bug Fixes Speed

Discrete logic low mid hard large high ? very fast

Dedicated
Hardware

ASIC high ($500K/ very low hard tiny – 1 die very low low extremely fast
mask set)
Programmable logic – low to mid mid easy small low medium to high very fast
FPGA, PLD

Microprocessor + memory low to mid mid easy small to medium low to moderate medium moderate
+ peripherals
Software Running on
Generic Hardware

Microcontroller (int. low mid to low easy small low medium slow to moderate
memory & peripherals)

Embedded PC low high easy medium moderate to high medium to high fast

Microcontroller based embedded system

Summary: Building Embedded Systems using MCUs
• In most embedded systems, MCUs are the best solution as they offer:
• Low development and manufacturing cost
• Easy porting and updating
• Light footprint
• Relatively low power consumption
• Satisfactory performance for low-end products